Breaking: Dangote Submits Complaint to ICPC Targeting NMDPRA Chairman

Aliko Dangote, the chairman of Dangote Group, has filed a suit against Ahmed Farouk, the managing director of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), with the Independent Corrupt Practices and other Related Offenses Commission (ICPC).

According to reports, Dangote charged Farouk with financial irregularities and wrongdoing.

In the December 16 petition, Dangote called for Ahmed to be arrested, investigated, and prosecuted for allegedly living above his means while working for the government.

The ICPC Chairman, Musa Adamu Aliyu (SAN), received the petition.

Dangote accused the NMDPRA MD of paying more over $7 million up front for his four children’s education in several Swiss institutions over a six-year period without providing proof of a legitimate source of income.

In order to support his claims and have the anti-graft agency verify them, Dangote listed the four children and their Swiss schools along with the amount spent for each.

He said that Farouk Ahmed was exploiting the NMDPRA’s power to embezzle and redirect public funds for personal benefit and the pursuit of private interests at the expense of the Nigerian people, causing recent unrest and protests from various organizations.

Dangote further asserted that Farouk Ahmed worked in Nigeria’s public sector throughout his adult life and that the sum of his earnings over the years was not even close to $7 million, allegedly taken from the public coffers to pay for his teenage children’s education overseas.

“There is no question that the aforementioned facts regarding abuse of office, violation of the public officer code of conduct, corrupt enrichment, and embezzlement are egregious acts of corrupt practices for which your Commission (ICPC) is statutorily empowered under section 19, of the ICPC Act to investigate and prosecute,” stated Dangote.

“A person who is successfully prosecuted under section 19 of the ICPC Act faces a five-year prison sentence without the possibility of a fine.” We boldly declare that the ICPC is strategically positioned alongside the sister agencies to prosecute financial crimes and other offenses related to corruption, and that the courts do not hesitate to punish offenders upon proving a prima facie case.

In light of the aforementioned, we urge the Commission, led by you, to look into the allegations of corruption and abuse of authority against Engineer Farouk Ahmed and to prosecute him if necessary.

“We have no reservations that the Commission will act decisively to ensure that justice is done and the good image of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration is protected, as this is a matter that is in the public domain.”